Saint George's stone eulogia stamp

This stone stamp is Attic in origin. It dates to the 18th-19th century and is an exceptional example of the marble carver’s art. Stamps depicting saints are used to stamp eulogia bread for the breaking of the bread and its distribution to the faithful at the end of the liturgy, for health and happiness. Saint George (275-23 April 303 A.D), a Roman soldier of Greek origin and member of the Praetorian Guard of the Roman emperor Diocletian, was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith.

He became one of Christianity’s most venerated saints and a Great Martyr. He is depicted on horseback killing the dragon with a lance. The carving captures, the horse's movement and the dragon is also rendered with extraordinary realism. As a trophy-bearing saint and a liberator, the Saint has inspired numerous wonderful narratives and traditions. In the Christian tradition, the feast of Saint George is celebrated on 23 April unless this falls before Easter, in which case it is moved to the Monday after Easter Sunday.